Friday, January 27, 2012
Mark 2:9-12 "Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…" He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
MANIFEST IN MAKING WHOLE, PALSIED LIMBS AND FAINTING SOUL
When I was a youngster the King James Version's description of the paralyzed man as "palsied" left me puzzled. By the 1950s "palsy" was used to describe people with limited movement in certain limbs. Since that time the newer translations have made clear just how limited (paralyzed!) movement of limb was for the people Jesus healed. Terms like "paraplegic" and "quadriplegic" are also well-known today.
Another change in the last 50 years is the treatment of those who have lost movement in their limbs due to sickness, injury or surgery. We know how important rehabilitation therapy is. Conversely, we know how atrophied and weak the muscles of a paralyzed limb will become without continuing treatment. Once again we realize that in healing those long paralyzed Jesus did what only the Creator-God can do.
To be trapped in a body that cannot move is a terrible thing. But the paralyzed man whose friends managed to find a way to present his case to Jesus was also trapped ... by his own conscience. And just as he was unable to change his body position on his own, the paralytic was unable to change his guilt before God. This fact, of course, is just as true for the able-bodied, isn't it?
It's great to have friends who can help. But sometimes, as the paralytic found out, it's even better to have friends who know how to find help. Jesus is still the sinner's only Help when it comes to sin-guilt. With or without the help of our friends we need to daily bring our fainting souls to Him for treatment. The Son of Man still speaks with divine authority. Still He shows Himself to be the Son of God in human flesh. Still He says, "Your sins are forgiven."
May we never lose our amazement that He personally speaks these words to us.
May we never stop praising God with soul and body.
Manifest in making whole Palsied limbs and fainting soul
Manifest in gracious will,Ever bringing good from ill;
Anthems be to Thee addressed, God in man made manifest.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 134:3)
